Friday, November 10, 2006

FT.com / Home UK / UK - Israel warned for mock attacks: "French peacekeeping troops in Lebanon came within seconds of firing anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli warplanes carrying out mock attacks on their positions in the south of the country last week, said France's defence minister.

The incident has fuelled diplomatic tensions between France and Israel. The Israeli ambassador in Paris was summoned to the French foreign ministry yesterday to be given an official complaint.

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The French-led Unifil international force has grown anxious about Israeli warplanes since it strengthened its presence in Lebanon in September as part of a United Nations plan to end fighting between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas.

Unifil confirmed that an incident took place on October 31, near the headquarters of the French battalion north of the town of Tibnin."